5 players with the most at risk during a contract year in 2014

Money has a funny way of motivating humans, and there’s a common belief it can supercharge those around the NFL who are entering seasons with their contracts set to expire.

But for many, the contract year is a dangerous animal, as it’s a time when dollars are lost forever, and careers go careening. For this group there’s relief in a fine season that ends in sweet cash, but it’s far overshadowed by fear of the opposite.

Let’s meet these frightened football souls, and explore their demons. Here are five players with the most at risk during contract years in 2014.

DeMarco Murray (2014 contract: $1.4 million)

The problem with DeMarco Murray is a familiar one for running backs: combusting. His reputation as a very snappable back is well earned, going back to his collegiate career at Oklahoma. There he dislocated his kneecap during his freshman season, and suffered a hamstring injury during the BIG 12 championship game in 2008.

Now through three NFL seasons he’s missed 11 games. Is that poor luck, or a legitimate case of pipe cleaners for bones? I don’t have the medial background to answer, but it could be a bit of both.

What’s clear is that when his bones and muscles are aligned properly, Murray is beastly. He’s had two seasons averaging over five yards per carry (5.2 in 2013, and 5.5 in 2011), and last year he had a career high in total yards from scrimmage (1,471). Of that, 350 yards came through the air, with Murray shattering his previous high and establishing himself as a pass catcher. With pass loving Scott Linehan calling the plays in Dallas now, Murray can set himself up to earn a sizeable payday next spring, at least by the poor standards of the modern day running back.

If he stays healthy.

Ryan Mathews (2014 contract: $1.978 million)

Another familiar tale here, but with a happier recent ending.

Mathews was once the leader of the glass players union, missing 10 games over his first three seasons. The pain feels worse with him, a running back selected with the 12th overall pick in 2010 during a long ago time when the position existed in the first round. But in 2013 something that altered the Earth’s tilt happened: Mathews stayed healthy for 16 games.

That resulted in Mathews showcasing the physical slashing up the middle we all expected four years ago. He rushed for 1,255 yards, 473 of which came over the final four weeks during the Chargers’ playoff push. He also recorded six +100 yard games, only one fewer than LeSean McCoy, the league’s rushing leader.

His reward? Having to fend off newly signed Donald Brown for carries. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich has said Mathews will still carry the load, but having a backup and/or change-of-pace runner behind him who averaged 5.3 yards per carry last year isn’t a good look for Mathews as he tries to secure his financial future, convincing the Chargers he’s worth a commitment while advancing closer to the age of 30 (he’ll turn 27 in October).

Nick Fairley (2014 contract: $1.7 million)

The Lions declined to pick up Nick Fairley’s fifth-year option. That happens when you struggle with weight and general motivation, get hacked down by injuries, and underperform for much of your first three seasons.

But there’s been hope lately for Fairley. He started to look like a first-round pick in 2013 when he finished with a career high six sacks. And now money motivation has led to a far more trim and slim Fairley this offseason, as the former Auburn standout is down to a mobile 295 pounds.

Another productive year will end in a significant payday. Remember, during this year’s free agency period Paul Soliai was the highest paid defensive tackle with a contract that maxes out at $31 million, even though he’s 30 years old.

Jason Pierre-Paul (2014 contract: $2.11 million)

The fate of the Giants’ 2014 pass rush rests with Jason Pierre-Paul. That could work out nicely, because the fate of his career and personal wealth is also at stake here.

His 2011 season is but a memory now, but that’s when Pierre-Paul emerged as a freakish individual with 16.5 sacks, and general pocket chaos that also led to seven passes defensed during the Giants’ Super Bowl season. Then he quickly disappeared, with a severe back injury (a herniated disc) robbing him of the ability to perform simple life functions in comfort. Like standing, and driving a car.

Offseason surgery in 2013 still left Pierre-Paul as a shell of himself, with his sack total falling to a career low two (two). Adding injury to injury, Pierre-Paul was shut down five games early with a shoulder problem.

What’s frightening is that even a month ago at OTAs, Pierre-Paul said he feels good, but admitted his back still isn’t quite at 100 percent. Yet he remains confident doubters will be silenced.

Jake Locker (2014 contract: $2 million)

Like Fairley, Jake Locker’s fifth-year option was declined, with the Tennessee Titans needing him to prove himself and stay healthy. But unlike Fairley, Locker has done little of either, with a career completion percentage of only 57.2 over 18 starts. He was benched in favor of Matt Hasselbeck to start his career, but since then he’s barely played a full season over two years.

Thankfully, Locker’s career is now in the hands and mind of quarterback re-birther Ken Whisenhunt, Tennessee’s new head coach. He resurrected Philip Rivers last year, and did the same with Kurt Warner in Arizona.

The problem is both Warner and Rivers were good for a time pre-Whisenhunt. Teaching accuracy is a difficult thing with a quarterback entering his fourth season. Especially with Locker, who was often wildly inaccurate in college, and finished his four seasons in Washington with a completion rate of 54.0.

So the choice is his: either learn the passing part of being a quarterback, or get Brandon Weeden’ed.